How is depression treated?Depression can be treated with talk therapy, medicines (called antidepressants), or both. Your doctor may refer you to a mental health professional for talk therapy or medicine.

Take Action!

Depression is a real illness. If you think you might be depressed, see your doctor.

Talk to a doctor about how you are feeling.Get a medical checkup. Ask to see a doctor or nurse who can screen you for depression.

The doctor or nurse may also check to see if you have another health condition (like thyroid disease) that can cause depression or make it worse. If you have one of these health conditions, it’s important to get treatment right away.

What about cost?Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, the health care reform law passed in 2010, insurance plans must cover screening for depression. This means you may be able to get screened at no cost to you.

Get active.Getting active can lower your stress level and help your treatment work better. It can also help keep you from getting depressed again. But it's important to know that physical activity isn't a treatment for depression.

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Page last updated:
Sunday, August 02, 2015